HISTORY LECTURES
CANADA AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
CANADA AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: Prelude To War
In April 1861 troops of the new Confederate States of America opened fire on Union-occupied fort Sumter and launched a bloody 4-year war that killed at least 620,000 men including thousands of Canadians who fought in the War. In accordance with British foreign policy regarding the War, Canada was officially neutral. This, however, did not prevent over 50,000 Canadians from serving in both armies (about 50,000 in 250 union regiments and 1,500 in 50 confederate regiments, four Canadians were brigadier-generals and 29 were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor). Throughout the war, Canadian public opinion was divided for various reasons, including religion, language, culture, and economic backgrounds. The Civil War was the culmination of the reciprocal, sometimes parallel, but often intertwining influence of both the US and Canada on each other’s historical, territorial, political and social development. Following the war, two new nations emerged.
Mark Vinet’s presentation begins on the eve of the civil war in the fall of 1859 with John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. Canadian participation in this event, the abolitionist movement, the slave trade and the underground railway are explored and in turn set the scene for a look at Canada on the eve of the great American struggle. In order to understand Canada in 1859 Mark Vinet takes us back 100 years to the fall of 1759 and the climactic Battle on the Plains of Abraham which set in motion a century of events that help explain the Canadian and US relationship as neighbors during the Civil War. This historical journey is presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of over 60 visual slides that follow an unavoidable path of exciting key events, including:
• French and English conquest of North America
• French and Indian War or Seven Years’ War
• American Revolution and the invasion of Canada
• American loyalist immigration to Canada - War of 1812
• Canada’s civil war of 1837-38
• Canada and US territorial expansion and border conflicts
• Abraham Lincoln and John A. Macdonald, leaders of two neighboring countries
The presentation concludes with the first shots fired at Fort Sumter. Striking parallels are made between the road Canada and the province of Quebec’s separatist movement are on today, and the road traveled by the US nearly 150 years ago.
CANADA AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: 1861-65
This lively historical lecture with video & slides presents the exciting and fascinating history of the 50,000 Canadian-born soldiers who fought for the North and South. In April 1861 troops of the new Confederate States of America opened fire on Union-occupied fort Sumter and launched a bloody four-year war that killed at least 620,000 men including thousands of Canadians who fought in the War. In accordance with Britain's foreign policy towards the War, Canada was officially neutral. This, however, did not prevent thousands of Canadian-born soldiers from serving in both armies. Four Canadians attained the rank of brigadier-general and 29 were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG
Journey back to July 1863 and the small Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg where North America's greatest and bloodiest battle erupted during the American Civil War. Learn about the dramatic details of this pivotal 3-day battle and stories of the over 50,000 battlefield casualties including many Canadian soldiers who fought for both the North and South. This fascinating historical lecture with video & slides reveals the controversial battle strategy of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and President Abraham Lincoln's dramatic Gettysburg Address.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CANADA
Join author and historian Mark Vinet as he examines Canadian participation in the fugitive slave escape network known as the Underground Railroad. This dynamic and dramatic historical lecture with video & slides explores the inner workings of the Underground Railroad and reveals it's impact, influence, and heroes. Famous participants include statesman Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe and her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, the real life Canadian Uncle Tom "Josiah Henson", and the "Black Moses" Harriet Tubman. Their exploits are examined along-side Canadian attitudes toward runaway slaves who fled to freedom in Canada and settled there during the decades leading to the American Civil War 1861-65.
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NORTH AMERICA
USA-CANADA BORDER 18th & 19th CENTURY
Mark Vinet’s presentation focus' on the historic evolution, significance, and reality of the USA-Canada border. His lecture covers a period when both nations dealt with an unfolding series of crucial events and unavoidable issues that eventually shaped today's longest, undefended, and peaceful international border. In order to understand the evolution of the USA-Canada border, Mark Vinet takes us back to the 1700s and 1800s to examine the magnitude and tensions brought about by affairs that provided inevitable and incalculable influence on North America's development. These events and issues would also greatly and dramatically affect the nature of Canada and the United States' short and long-term relationship as neighbors. This historical journey is presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of over 60 visual slides that follow an unavoidable path of exciting key events, including:
• French and English colonial conquest of North America
• French and Indian War or Seven Years' War
• American Revolution and the invasion of Canada
• American loyalist immigration to Canada
• War of 1812
• Canada's civil war of 1837-38
• American Civil War
• Canada and US territorial expansion and border conflicts
COLONIAL NORTH AMERICA USA/CANADA 17TH & 18TH Centuries
Mark Vinet's presentation focuses on the historic evolution, significance, and reality of Colonial North America. His lecture covers a period when both the United States and Canada were not yet the countries we know today but instead a collection of European colonies, under the imperial control of England and France, flourishing amongst various Indian nations. These colonies and its peoples dealt with an unfolding series of crucial events and unavoidable issues that eventually shaped two new, free and independent nations. In order to understand the evolution of North America during colonial times, Mark Vinet takes us back to the 1600s and 1700s to examine the magnitude and tensions brought about by affairs that provided inevitable and incalculable influence on North America's development. These events and issues would also greatly and dramatically affect the future nature of Canada and the United States' short and long-term relationship as neighbors. This historical journey is presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of over 60 visual slides that follow an unavoidable path of exciting key events, including:
• French and English colonial conquest of North America
• Jamestown, Quebec City, Plymouth, Montreal, New France, New England
• Settlement, commerce and wars
• John Smith, Jacques Cartier, William Bradford (Mayflower), Samuel de Champlain, Wolfe and Montcalm
• French and Indian War or Seven Years' War, the Plains of Abraham
• Colonial territorial expansion and border conflicts
• American Revolution and the invasion of Canada
• American loyalist immigration to Canada
BATTLE OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM
Explore the historic evolution of Colonial North America. This revealing lecture with video & slides uncovers new insights into a period when both the United States and Canada were not yet the countries we know today but instead a collection of European colonies, under the imperial control of England and France, flourishing amongst various Indian nations. Travel back to the 1600s and 1700s to examine the magnitude and tensions that culminated one bloody September day in 1759 on the Plains of Abraham battlefield.
QUEBEC AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Learn how Quebec almost joined the 1776 American Revolution. Discover why the American army invaded Quebec and occupied Montreal under the leadership of Benedict Arnold. Explore Benjamin Franklin's visit to Montreal and his mission to convince Quebec to join the Yankee rebellion as the 14th colony. This revealing lecture with video & slides uncovers a path of exciting events that eventually shaped today's longest, undefended, and peaceful international border.
NAPOLEON IN NORTH AMERICA
Napoleon Bonaparte never set foot in North America but his empire helped shape the evolution of the USA-Canada border. Travel back to the early 1800s to examine the exciting events and issues that dramatically affected the nature of the Canada-US relationship as neighbors. This fascinating lecture with video & slides examines the Napoleonic era's influence on French colonies in the Americas, Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the War of 1812.
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DESTINATIONS
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY
This fascinating historical journey to the "Big Apple" is presented through lecture, discussion, questions & answers, and with the use of visual slides that illuminate exciting people and key events.
DISCOVER BOSTON
A captivating historical voyage to "Beantown" presented through lecture, discussion, and visual slides that spotlight intriguing people and pivotal events.
DISCOVER CANADA
A magnificent historical journey to "The Great White North" presented through lecture, discussion, and visual slides that explore remarkable people and breathtaking geography.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF HALIFAX
A wonderful historical visit to Canada’s legendary maritime port city presented through lecture, discussion, and visual slides that highlight fascinating people and captivating events.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BERMUDA
This exciting historical journey to the "Island Paradise" is presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of visual slides that explore fascinating people and important events.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAHAMAS
A wonderful historical journey to the "Island Paradise" presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of visual slides that explore fascinating people and captivating events.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PUERTO RICO
An exciting historical journey to the "Tropical Island" presented through lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and with the use of visual slides that explore interesting people and important events.
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MARK VINET - Short Biography
Mark Vinet is a professional lecturer and college professor who travels the world giving a variety of interesting and exciting lectures. He is an NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) guest lecturer and possesses a lively and stimulating speaking style in English and French with optional slideshows. He is an author, historian and entertainment lawyer from Montreal, Canada. Mark is also the host of a radio show on CHOD-FM & WMRP that deals with history and entertainment related topics. He is the founder of the North American Historical Institute and the Wadem International Historical Society. He can presently be seen on the DISCOVERY & BIOGRAPHY channels. Finally, Mark is the author of 4 books and over 15 articles. He offers lectures in 4 categories - HISTORY, MUSIC, BOOKS & TV/FILM. For additional info & photos please visit www.markvinet.com or call 450-510-1102
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